BTK Spraying Program Update for January 2026
In the last few days, the provincial government announced the specific areas scheduled for aerial spraying in 2026, confirming the use of BTK (Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki) and limiting the program to only two locations in British Columbia. This represents a major reduction from previous years and a significant victory for community advocacy.
Aerial spraying is planned for spring 2026 for:
Delta (Tsawwassen): 38 ha
Squamish: 121 ha
In 2024, 13 communities were selected for aerial spraying. Of those, 12 were sprayed, while West Kelowna was not, making it the only community to successfully stop the program. KCSA played a key role in that outcome. This success helped drive broader public scrutiny by halting aerial pesticide spraying in 2025, and directly influenced the sharply reduced program now announced for 2026.
This outcome shows that citizens can change public health decisions. By stopping the aerial spraying, KCSA and local residents helped prevent involuntary exposure to a biological pesticide, including exposure in and around schools where children were arriving during active spray periods. Protecting children, families, pets and bystanders from unnecessary pesticide exposure remains one of the most important outcomes of this effort.
KCSA will continue to closely monitor the 2026 aerial BTK spray program and will ensure that all available information is shared with the communities still affected, including timing, substances used, potential risks, and alternatives. Our focus remains informed consent, transparency, and the protection of public health.
2024 STOP AERIAL SPRAYING OVER WEST KELOWNA
Email us for more info! NoSpray_KCSA@proton.me
Call the KCSA Hotline: 1-800-573-0213 (recorded info line)
Spraying Precaution Flyer
Health Canada incident reports show harms to people from Btk spray. Over homes, schools, gardens, parks, orchards, farms, businesses, wineries, McDougall Creek, streets and highways are situated within spray zones, affecting humans, pets, wildlife, birds, bees, water life and non-target insects.
Wed March 20, 2024, BC Rising meeting
1. Dr. Jennifer Tynan - Foray 48B bacterial spraying in BC for spongy (gypsy) moth
Take Action
We strongly suggest that your representatives hear from you.
Pls Call or Email your concerns. You may be surprised the impact it can have when enough do it!
West Kelowna City Council
Mayor:
Gord Milsom 778-797-2210 mayorandcouncil@westkelownacity.ca
Councillors:
Rick de Jong 778-214-0174 rick.dejong@westkelownacity.ca
Tasha Da Silva 250-899-7526 tasha.dasilva@westkelownacity.ca
Jason Friesen 250-215-6421 jason.friesen@westkelownacity.ca
Stephen Johnston 250-258-9406 stephen.Johnston@westkelownacity.ca
Garrett Millsap 250-869-2827 garrett.millsap@westkelownacity.ca
Carol Zanon 250-801-5937 carol.zanon@westkelownacity.ca
Actions Taken
04/17/2024 - Appeal Submitted to the Ministry of Forests.
04/07/2024 - Dear Premier Eby, Ministers and Government MLAs
04/10/2024 - Press Release Re: Aerial Spraying West Kelowna
04/12/2024 - Chair and Board of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan.
04/15/2024 - Inert other ingredients in Foray 48B
Resources
Here is the incidents report https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/pi-ip/result-eng.php?
Materials Safety Data Sheet
CRECweb.com/pesticides – links to many reports, documents and letters in regards to pesticides including Foray 48B
Permits and Maps where spraying will take place in BC communities soon:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/forest-health/invasive-forest-pests/spongy-moth/newsSpongy Moth Detections in BC Communities: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/forest-health/invasive-forest-pests/spongy-moth/detection-history
What is Btk? https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/forest-health/invasive-forest-pests/spongy-moth/what-is-btk
Surveillance: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/forest-health/forest-health-docs/gypsy-moth-docs/btk_health_surveillance_report_1999_btk.pdf
Foray 48B Label: gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/forest-health/forest-health-docs/gypsy-moth-docs/foray_48b_cdn_spec_label_2011.pdf
BC Ministry of Forests Websites
Interview with CHP, 30th of May, 2024
Interview on Kelowna NOW & KCSA President
18th of April, 2024
Printout and shareables
*E-transfer donations are now available on our "Donate page".
